Zhong Yun and his companion spent the entire day out, unaffected by Niu Ben, finally returning around seven in the evening, thoroughly satisfied.

Back at the inn, Zhong Yun dropped his things and immediately sought out Chen Wen.

Chen Wen seemed to have anticipated his arrival; before Zhong Yun could speak, he preempted him, "You have something you want to ask me?" Seeing Zhong Yun nod, he continued, "About Niu Ben?"

Zhong Yun exclaimed in surprise, "How did you know?"

Tian Hai interjected, "We saw everything this morning. Quite the heroic rescue! Did Liu Yunqi agree to marry him out of gratitude?"

Ignoring his nonsensical chatter, Chen Wen sighed, "You shouldn't have stopped Niu Ben."

"What kind of talk is that?"

Before Zhong Yun could reply, Tian Hai immediately took offense, "Are you saying we should have let Niu Ben lay a hand on the beautiful Miss Liu?"

Chen Wen shot Tian Hai a look, annoyed at the interruption, "Zhong Yun stopping him actually saved Niu Ben’s life."

"What do you mean?" Tian Hai wondered aloud. To beat someone up and then claim it saved their life—that was a novel concept.

Chen Wen sneered, "If Niu Ben had dared to touch Liu Yunqi, he would have been inviting death. If Zhong Yun hadn't intervened today, Niu Shun Jin would have been burying his son." A hint of malicious glee laced his words.

"You mean Niu Shun Jin is Niu Ben's father?" Zhong Yun asked.

"Exactly." Chen Wen nodded. "While you might have saved his son, he might not thank you for it. On the contrary, he might seek revenge."

He glanced at Zhong Yun. "Niu Shun Jin has some strength that keeps him somewhat off the major stage, but if he's foolish enough to retaliate against you, he’s only asking for trouble."

Zhong Yun fell silent. He knew his own situation. He certainly wasn't the scion of some major power, as Chen Wen assumed. His parents worked for large companies, but they held no real influence. Getting entangled with a local gang boss was indeed troublesome. However, Zhong Yun was not someone to be easily pushed around either.

"Is Liu Yunqi as influential as the rumors suggest?" Tian Hai's curiosity was piqued, and he couldn't help asking.

"More than influential," Chen Wen shook his head. "Many people know about her background; it’s hardly a secret. It's fine to tell you."

He instinctively looked around before leaning in. Seeing his solemnity, Zhong Yun and the other man also tensed up and moved closer, their heads nearly touching.

Chen Wen licked his lips and lowered his voice, as if sharing a monumental secret, "Have either of you ever heard of the Yang family?"

Zhong Yun and Tian Hai exchanged a look and both shook their heads.

Chen Wen gave Zhong Yun a strange look. It wasn't surprising that Tian Hai hadn't heard of them—the Yang family was typically very low-profile and rarely appeared in the media—but how could Zhong Yun not have heard? Still, he held back his comment and continued his previous train of thought, "Then have you heard the name Yang Binggang?"

"I know him, the former Commander-in-Chief of the Military Department," Tian Hai chimed in. He loved weaponry and kept up with military news.

"Precisely." Chen Wen then asked, "Do you know how many Commanders-in-Chief of the Military Department named Yang have appeared in history?"

"How many?" Zhong Yun couldn't help asking.

Chen Wen held up three fingers and stated the number, "Three hundred and twenty-one."

"Geez, don't tell me these were all members of the Yang family," Tian Hai exclaimed, shuddering, letting out an uncensored curse.

What position was the Commander-in-Chief of the Military Department? It was the supreme commander of eighty million troops nationwide, five hundred starships, and one hundred thousand mecha units—a Grand Marshal. The position changed every five years, and over eight hundred individuals had held the title in total. If Chen Wen was telling the truth, it meant that over a third of all Commanders-in-Chief had come from the Yang family. It was almost as if the Yang family monopolized the post.

Tian Hai refused to believe it, nor could he accept it. Freedom and democracy were inscribed in the supreme, sacred Constitution. How could such a crucial seat of power be dominated by a single family for so long? Impossible.

Chen Wen’s words delivered a harsh blow: "Not all of them. Two were not from the Yang family." Meaning, the Yang family had produced three hundred and nineteen Commanders-in-Chief.

Hearing this assertion, Zhong Yun was stunned. He drew a sharp breath and remained silent for a long time.

"That's too exaggerated. How is that possible?" Tian Hai muttered.

Chen Wen leaned back, mocking, "What's impossible about it? The Yang family is known as the Marshal Dynasty, a super-clan whose lineage spans over five thousand years."

"But why haven't I heard of them? What about the media exposure?" Tian Hai remained unconvinced.

"You underestimate the capabilities of a major family." Chen Wen said seriously, "Do you think the media can report whatever they damn well please? You overestimate them. Even the President can't do exactly as he wishes. The media's power is limited, and when interests are involved, it’s always the result of compromises between various factions."

"Besides, many major media outlets are controlled by these great families. I can't speak for others, but when it comes to an overwhelming behemoth like the Yang family, the media is always tight-lipped."

"Today, T has truly learned something new," Tian Hai sighed with feeling.

"Then what is Liu Yunqi's connection to the Yang family?" Zhong Yun suddenly asked.

Chen Wen gave him a meaningful look and delivered the speech he had prepared, "Actually, I knew Liu Yunqi before."

"What?" Tian Hai nearly jumped up, pointing at Chen Wen. "You’re completely out of line! Why didn't you say so sooner? You knew..."

"Tian Hai, stop talking."

Zhong Yun restrained him, preventing him from finishing his accusation. Tian Hai sat down sullenly, glaring at Chen Wen, clearly indicating he wouldn't let it go without a full explanation.

Chen Wen gave a wry smile. "We were just ordinary friends back then. This matter involves too much; I couldn't tell you." The implication was that now that he considered Zhong Yun and the other man true friends, he could safely share these secrets.

"It's probably those damned principles of yours," Tian Hai grumbled, though his tone softened.

Chen Wen pretended not to hear, not wanting to argue with him.

"Your goal should be the same as Niu Ben's," Zhong Yun stated unexpectedly.

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Chen Wen’s face, and he didn't deny it. "That's right. My old man sent me to this public school precisely to try and latch onto the Yang family's coattails."

"What? You're trying to steal A-Yun's girl?" Tian Hai's face turned red as purple, almost exploding again. Zhong Yun had to pull him back once more.

Chen Wen scratched his head and said innocently, "I didn't know you guys back then."

"That’s no excuse," Tian Hai spat, his voice so loud it made Chen Wen's ears ring.

"I was wrong, okay? Don't worry, I absolutely have no intention of making a move on Liu Yunqi," Chen Wen conceded quickly to calm him down.

"That’s more like it," Tian Hai mumbled, sitting back down properly.

Chen Wen shook his head with a wry smile, completely helpless against him. In the past, anyone who dared yell in his face like that would have instantly fallen out with him. He never would have tolerated it as he did today. He admitted to himself that he had changed a lot since befriending Zhong Yun and the others. He was only now realizing that having friends to endlessly joke with, to argue and tease without holding back, to stay up all night buying limited edition figurines together...

They said what they meant, expressed their dissatisfaction openly, cursed if they were annoyed, never hiding anything. With them, you didn't have to be guarded or cautious; you could fully display your true self. Chen Wen cherished this life. He knew Tian Hai considered him a friend.

It turned out that being yelled at directly to your face wasn't so bad after all.

P: Thank you to all the readers who voted for me; we finally broke into the top hundred on the Newcomer List. Thank you all.